Flooding advice

The main threats to health with floods are from drowning and injuries caused by accidents in fast flowing water. Once floodwaters have reduced the other main health hazard is from the stress and strain of the event and clean-up.

Take time to look after your and your family's mental health and wellbeing. Do not over-exert yourself in the clean-up and accept help and support.

Cleaning your home after flooding

Take care with electrics and gas: do not switch on electrical appliances that have been in contact with floodwater unless a competent electrician has checked them, as there is a risk of electrocution.

Even if gas appliances appear to be working normally, the flue or ventilation systems maybe affected. For safety reasons, have gas appliances inspected by a Gas Safe Register engineer.

The drying process

Heating and good ventilation will assist the drying process.

Help the drying process by using:

fans

air conditioning units

dehumidifiers

Petrol or diesel generators and other fuel-driven equipment should never be brought indoors. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which can quickly build up to poisonous levels without good ventilation.

Infection control

Infection problems arising from floods are rare and usually any harmful bugs in floodwater become very diluted and present a low risk.